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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- I have an E on my printer screen

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
Accepted Solutions
09-22-2025 09:33 AM
Hi @TeamBarr
Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.
I'm really sorry you're dealing with this—seeing just an “E” on your HP Smart Tank 4200 printer screen with no further explanation can be confusing and disruptive, especially when you're trying to print something important. That “E” typically indicates an error state, and the printer is waiting for a specific action or resolution.
Let’s walk through a focused recovery path to help clear the error and restore normal operation:
Step-by-Step Fix for “E” Error on HP Smart Tank 4200
1. Check for Blinking Lights
The “E” is often accompanied by blinking icons or buttons that indicate the nature of the error.
- Look for flashing lights near:
- Ink icons (low or missing ink)
- Paper icon (paper jam or empty tray)
- Wi-Fi or network icon (connection issue)
- Note the pattern—this helps identify the exact fault
You can refer to this guide to decode the light combinations:
HP Smart Tank 4200 Series Error Code Guide
2. Restart the Printer
This clears temporary faults.
- Power off the printer using the power button
- Unplug the power cord from both the printer and wall outlet
- Wait 60 seconds
- Plug it back in and power on
3. Check Ink and Paper
- Ensure all ink tanks are filled above the minimum line
- Confirm that the paper tray is loaded correctly
- Remove any jammed paper from the input or output areas
4. Reset the Printer
If the error persists:
- Press and hold the Cancel (X) and Wireless buttons together for 5 seconds
- The printer will reset its network and error state
- Wait for it to restart and check if the “E” disappears
5. Update Firmware
Outdated firmware can trigger persistent error states.
- Visit:
HP Smart Tank 4200 Drivers & Firmware - Download and install the latest firmware update for your operating system
- Restart the printer after installation
I understand how disruptive this has been, and I truly hope these steps help restore your printer to full functionality. If you’d like help interpreting the light pattern or navigating the firmware update, I’m here to assist.
If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊
Take care, and have an amazing day!
Regards,
Hawks_Eye
09-22-2025 09:33 AM
Hi @TeamBarr
Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.
I'm really sorry you're dealing with this—seeing just an “E” on your HP Smart Tank 4200 printer screen with no further explanation can be confusing and disruptive, especially when you're trying to print something important. That “E” typically indicates an error state, and the printer is waiting for a specific action or resolution.
Let’s walk through a focused recovery path to help clear the error and restore normal operation:
Step-by-Step Fix for “E” Error on HP Smart Tank 4200
1. Check for Blinking Lights
The “E” is often accompanied by blinking icons or buttons that indicate the nature of the error.
- Look for flashing lights near:
- Ink icons (low or missing ink)
- Paper icon (paper jam or empty tray)
- Wi-Fi or network icon (connection issue)
- Note the pattern—this helps identify the exact fault
You can refer to this guide to decode the light combinations:
HP Smart Tank 4200 Series Error Code Guide
2. Restart the Printer
This clears temporary faults.
- Power off the printer using the power button
- Unplug the power cord from both the printer and wall outlet
- Wait 60 seconds
- Plug it back in and power on
3. Check Ink and Paper
- Ensure all ink tanks are filled above the minimum line
- Confirm that the paper tray is loaded correctly
- Remove any jammed paper from the input or output areas
4. Reset the Printer
If the error persists:
- Press and hold the Cancel (X) and Wireless buttons together for 5 seconds
- The printer will reset its network and error state
- Wait for it to restart and check if the “E” disappears
5. Update Firmware
Outdated firmware can trigger persistent error states.
- Visit:
HP Smart Tank 4200 Drivers & Firmware - Download and install the latest firmware update for your operating system
- Restart the printer after installation
I understand how disruptive this has been, and I truly hope these steps help restore your printer to full functionality. If you’d like help interpreting the light pattern or navigating the firmware update, I’m here to assist.
If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊
Take care, and have an amazing day!
Regards,
Hawks_Eye